November Newsletter 2024

Jan 21, 2025 | Newsletters | 0

This month, the team was able to strengthen our advocacy and capacity-building initiatives through meaningful collaborations and events!

Our highlights for this month included participation in the Asia Pacific Beijing+30 Review to shape gender equality policies, facilitating a 16 Days of Activism workshop on workplace sexual harassment, and showcasing WASH campaign materials at a learning event with World Vision Vanuatu.

The team also engaged in the National Budget Review, attended a Gender Protection Cluster meeting, and joined the Strengthening Access to Justice Steering committee: “Yumi wantem Jastis! Yumi mekem! Yumi Luk Jastis!”

WATCH this space as preparations for the Sista Accelerator Hub started this month and a review of the Operations Manual highlighted the organization’s focus and importance on realistic growth and quality operational procedures.

Find out what else we got up to in November!

Projects

Evelyn Thomas – Sista Gat Style, Vanuatu Daily Post

In November, we’re thrilled to spotlight Evelyn Thomas!

Originally from Tanna, 29-year-old Evelyn is a recent science graduate from Fiji and now works with the Public Works Department in Port Vila. She’s passionate about fashion, with a love for bright colors and unique designs, often inspired by the world around her.

Evelyn’s go-to quote is, “Everyone is an Architect of their own success.” In her free time, she enjoys sewing and exploring new styles. Her beauty essentials include rosemary oil, Eco gel, and One in a Million perfume.

#SistaGatStyle #BrightAndBold #Creative #Beautiful #Smart #Kind #Talented

Asia Pacific Beijing 30+ CSO Forum and Ministerial Forum – We Rise Coalition, Pacific Feminist Fund

The Executive Director joined civil society organisations in the Asia Pacific Region that are preparing for the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA).

The BPfA, adopted in 1995 by 189 countries, is a global commitment to advancing women’s rights, ending gender discrimination, and achieving gender equality.

In 2025, the global community will mark the 30th anniversary of the BPfA at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York.

Leading up to this event, countries in the Asia-Pacificwill review the progress, challenges, and gaps in implementing the BPfA, through the Beijing+30 that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand.

First, she attended the Pacific Participants Preparatory Meeting on the 16th of November and following that she attended Asia and the Pacific Civil Society Organisation Forum from the 17th to 18^th of November. She then concluded with the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference from the 19th to 21st November. Her attendance was made possible with support from the Pacific Feminist Fund.

National Budget Review with CSO’s

Sista was invited by the Parliament of Vanuatu to attend a briefing on the National Budget alongside Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on November 5th, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Due to scheduling conflicts, the Sista’s Project Coordinator attended the briefing on behalf of the organization. The purpose of this session was to inform CSOs about the Parliament’s role in the National Budget process, the budget formulation procedure, the analysis of previous years’ budgets, revenue generation, and the allocations across different ministries.

This initiative was supported by UNDP Pacific, in collaboration with teams from various regional parliaments, through the offices of the Speaker and the Clerks/Secretary General. The initiative, called the “Budget Mission,” aimed to assist local staff in conducting rapid budget analysis, while simultaneously strengthening local capacity, sharing knowledge, and exchanging best practices.

CSOs present at the briefing included Transparency Vanuatu, the Vanuatu Disability Organization, Sista, VANGO, Wan Smolbag Theater, the Vanuatu Council of Women, the Vanuatu Youth Council, and others.

Gender Protection Cluster Meeting

We are now into the cyclone season; therefore, we need to prepare ourselves should we encounter any cyclones or other natural disasters during November to April of next year.

Sista was invited to attend the Gender Protection Cluster meeting at the department of Women’s Affairs on the 12^th of November 2024. Sista’s Project Coordinator attended on behalf of Sista with representatives from the Department of Women’s Affairs, ADRA Vanuatu, UNICEF, Vanuatu Australia Policing Justice program, Vanuatu Women’s Center, World Vision, Department of Climate Change, Prime Minister’s Office and Vanuatu Society of people with Disability.

The meeting focused on: an update from the Cluster Leader on the VMGD forecast, review of the Gender Rapid Assessment form in line with the new Community Assessment Form by NDMO and, review of the Gender Protection Cluster Terms of Reference.

We look forward to continuing the conversations in the coming months and strengthening our relationships with other organisations in the gender space.

16DOA: Sexual Harassment Workshop & Training with the YWLP Alumni – CARE

The 16 Days of Activism workshop, held on 15 November 2024 at the Grand Hotel Conference Room, was organized by Sista in collaboration with CARE in Vanuatu.

The workshop aimed to empower alumni from the Young Women Leadership Programme (YWLP) to actively participate in discussions around sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly in the private sector.

The workshop was facilitated by Sista’s Project Coordinator, and Katherine Webber, Program Management support and mentor for Sista.

Along with the facilitators, the event was attended by 10 YWLP alumni, representatives from CARE in Vanuatu, Jackson Ben and Eriquah Henry, and Sista’s Program Manager.

WASH Portfolio Learning Event – World Vision Vanuatu

On 14^th and 15^th November, Sista’s Comms & Advocacy Coordinator attended the first ever WASH Portfolio Learning Event!

The event provided a platform to share lessons learned and findings from projects implemented across TORBA, SANMA, and TAFEA. A key focus was on addressing the climate-resilient WASH needs of women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, ensuring that these priorities are integrated into future service delivery strategies.

Sista also had the opportunity to showcase materials from the WASH Media Campaign, sparking important conversations and gathering valuable feedback from partners. This collaborative event highlighted the shared commitment of WASH stakeholders in Vanuatu to create solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and leave no one behind.

Strengthening Access to Justice Steering group: “Yumi wantem Jastis! Yumi mekem! Yumi Luk Jastis!”

On November 1st, Sista participated in the second Steering Committee meeting for the Strengthening Access to Justice project, led by the Supreme Court of Vanuatu. Representatives from VAPJP, VWC, and the Court joined to refine the project’s scope and strategies.

Discussions centered on creating mobile courts, improving community engagement through civil society partnerships, and strengthening support for women and girls.

The Key outcomes included finalizing the project name (“Yumi wantem jastis; Yumi liftemap jastis; Yumi lukim jastis”), setting plans for a community-based launch, and developing a logo with Sista’s support. The committee also outlined a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress and ensure gender considerations.

We look forward to the next meeting in the new year!

Draft Logo Design – Strengthening Access to Justice Steering group

Sista’s communications & advocacy officer created three draft logo designs for the Access to Justice Steering group. These designs are partly complete as the communications officer is still waiting for an update on which design will be chosen and what other additional feedback to work on to finalize the logo that will be chosen.

Technology Facilitation Abuse Workshop

On November 27th, the Program Manager, Project Coordinator, Project Officer, and Advocacy and Communication Coordinator attended a workshop on Technology Facilitation Abuse, alongside other participants from the Office of the Public Prosecutor, Vanuatu Society for People with Disability, Vanuatu National Council of Women, World Vision, UNICEF, and CARE. This workshop was facilitated by the Women’s Service Network (WESNET) and Deakin University.

The workshop began with a presentation of survey results from a study conducted in 2022 across Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. The findings were insightful and largely aligned with what many participants had anticipated. There was active feedback throughout the presentation.

The session continued with an overview of WESNET’s work and discussions on potential forms of technology abuse in Australia that might eventually be relevant in the Vanuatu context. While most of these issues are not yet applicable, they may become increasingly relevant in the future, particularly as technology continues to evolve over the next decade. It’s a good thing that we’re aware of these things.

Sista Accelerator Hub – We Rise Coalition

In Vanuatu, women’s organizations and groups face significant challenges in their efforts toward growth and impact. Many emerging and small organizations lack the necessary resources, mentorship, and structured support to navigate their development effectively. The Sista Accelerator Hub aims to address these challenges by offering comprehensive support tailored specifically to women-led initiatives, fostering a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and sustainable success.

The primary objectives of the Sista Accelerator Hub are to provide informal mentorship, networking opportunities, and practical support in organizational management for women’s organizations and groups. It also seeks to empower organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to strengthen their capacity, improve project management, and ensure financial and human resource stability. Additionally, the hub aims to foster a supportive environment that promotes collaboration, effective communication, and collective care among emerging women’s organizations.

The project team has been diligently preparing materials for this initiative, which will be launched next year. The Project Assistant (Volunteer) has invested significant effort over the past few months, working alongside the Program Management Support Mentor to develop these materials.

A call for participation was published on November 26, 2026, with the deadline set for January 10, 2025.

We Rise Coalition Focal Points meeting

We Rise Coalition (WRC) Focal points consisting of the WRC comms officer, and other comms personnel from Sista, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), FemLINKpacific, and International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) had their first focal points meeting virtually over zoom call.

The purpose of the meeting was for the WRC comms team to get to know each other, share key dates for their respective organizations, share their 16 Days of Activism work plan, and provide tips on how WRC social media pages can gain more and a wider audience.

Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) Review attended by WRC partners; Sista, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM), and International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) – We Rise Coalition

We Rise Coalition (WRC) was amongst the Governments and Civil Society Organizations (CS0s) in the Asia Pacific Region that attended the review for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA).

A Pacific Participants Preparatory Meeting was held on the 16^th November. It was organized by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) as part of the Beijing+30 Civil Society Steering Committee for Asia and the Pacific and supported by the UN Women Pacific Multi Country Office.

This was followed by the Asia and the Pacific Civil Society Organization Forum from the 17^th to 18th November and concluded with the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference from the 19^th to 21^st November.

The WRC communications officer created a communications strategy that set out the tasks for the comms officer throughout this event.

It was a great learning experience for the WRC Communications officer!

VANGO Partnership Meeting

On Friday, 15th November, Sista’s HR & Finance Manager attended the VANGO Partnership Meeting on behalf of Sista.

The meeting, which included representatives from MFAT, DFAT, World Vision Vanuatu, Save the Children, CARE, and the World Bank, focused on VANGO’s Strategic Plan (2023–2025) and its call to action. Key goals discussed included strengthening VANGO as an organization, promoting good governance, and amplifying civil society’s voice through partnerships.

The discussion highlighted funding strategies and ways international NGOs can better support local organizations like Sista. Sista’s representative emphasized the value of conducting annual partnership reviews to enhance collaboration with donors.

The meeting concluded with concept notes and strategies for advancing localization efforts to empower local NGOs and CBOs.

Other News

Malkia Women Managers Rise Up: Skilling for Success

In November, Sista’s HR & Finance Manager and Admin & Finance Officer, had the pleasure of attending the Malkia Women Managers Rise Up: Skilling for Success training online!

The training was held from November 4th to December 6^th, 2024. This program is designed to empower women managers by enhancing their leadership, managerial, and technical skills with the goal of creating a cohort of skilled women leaders capable of driving organizational growth while advocating for inclusive and equitable workplaces.

The training addresses gender disparities in leadership roles, builds confidence, and equips participants with the tools needed to lead effectively. Key components included: Leadership Development, Technical Skills – tailored to specific roles, such as financial management, project oversight, and HR practices – Networking Opportunities, Mentorship and Gender Advocacy.

This experience was incredibly valuable for the finance team. It went beyond theoretical knowledge by incorporating practical, real-world exercises each week. These activities, based on actual case scenarios, allowed us to immediately apply the concepts to workplace situations, making the lessons even more impactful.

We are grateful for this opportunity to grow as leaders and contribute to building stronger, more inclusive teams.

Operations Manual Review

On the 28^th of November 2024, Sista Leadership team underwent a comprehensive review of the Operations Manual to ensure Sista Staff can fully comply with all procedures. The review identified several areas needing improvement, leading to updates that enhance clarity, efficiency, and compliance.

This review also served as a refresher for the ED, PM and our support officer- Katherine Webber.

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NEWS

‘The scars children carry can last a lifetime’ August 13, 2026
Amid the public outrage and questions over the President’s recent pardoning of convicted rapists and the alarming increase in child abuse cases in Vanuatu, the REACH Family Centre is calling on Parliament to pass the proposed Child Protection Bill, saying stronger laws are needed to hold people who abuse children accountable. Every day at the REACH Family Centre, Mansen Roy and Salokie Narfi work alongside children experiencing challenges no child should face. Some are struggling with overwhelming stress. Others are navigating violence at home, bullying, online harm and the fear of speaking out. For Narfi, a counsellor and group work practitioner for children and adolescents, the hardest part is seeing how many suffer in silence. “Children want to come for help, but they are scared of the consequences,” she says. “Some are afraid their parents will find out. Others are afraid nobody will believe them.” Using drawing, play therapy and other child-friendly approaches, Narfi helps children express emotions they cannot find the words for. She remembers one child who repeatedly blacked out at school. “Through counselling, the child understood the emotional pain carried,” she says. “The mother also received counselling. Today that child is brighter, more confident and looking forward to the future.” But not every story has such a hopeful ending. Roy, REACH’s Acting Executive Director, says many of the challenges children face are made worse by gaps in protection and understanding. “Violence against children remains one of the biggest issues,” he says. “We should teach, guide and love children,” he says. “Wrong treatment can create trauma that children carry for their whole lives, like a scar that never goes away.” Against this backdrop, REACH is pushing for the proposed Child Protection Bill to reach Parliament and become law. Both Roy and Narfi say the legislation would strengthen their work by creating a clearer approach to responding when children are at risk of serious harm, including sexual abuse. It would also help place children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. “This Bill will support our work in the field,” Mansen says. “The justice system punishes perpetrators, but what about the survivors? Children also need healing, psychological support and protection to move forward into the future.” Narfi says the law would also ensure serious cases of abuse are recognised early and responded to properly. “Children are the future of the country,” she says. “If this Bill passes, we can build a stronger Vanuatu with children who are supported, protected and able to become the future leaders of our nation.” REACH is one of the few organisations in Vanuatu providing holistic support to entire families, working with mothers, fathers and children together because lasting change begins at home. Yet the demand for counselling and mental health support continues to grow, while resources remain limited. Roy believes passing the Child Protection Bill is no longer simply a legal decision – it is a moral one. “Child protection affects everyone because every one of us was once a child,” he says. For the children who are too frightened to speak, and for those still carrying invisible scars, the time to act is now. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Man remanded over alleged sexual assault of four-year-old girl August 13, 2026
A man from Tanna has been remanded in custody after being charged over the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old girl at Salili on Efate last week. The accused, identified in a remand warrant as Simeon Tom Yatika, appeared before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court on 11 August 2026. He is charged with unlawful sexual intercourse, contrary to section 97(1) of the Penal Code [CAP 135]. The prosecution applied for the accused to be held in custody, and the court granted the application. The warrant directs the officer in charge of the Correctional Centre to keep Yatika in custody until his next appearance on 25 August 2026 at 9am. A source close to the Magistrates’ Court said the court was informed that the alleged victim suffered injuries and experienced difficulty using the toilet after the incident. The court also reportedly heard that the accused had been receiving mental health care but had not attended medical appointments for some time. The circumstances surrounding that information remain matters for the court and relevant medical professionals to consider. The allegations have not been tested at trial. The accused has not been convicted and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case has caused concern and renewed public frustration over the protection of children and the handling of sexual offence cases in Vanuatu. Many members of the public are expected to question whether vulnerable children are receiving adequate protection, medical care and support after alleged abuse. The case also comes amid wider criticism from women’s groups over the treatment of child sex offenders and calls for stronger safeguards in decisions involving pardons and accountability. Women’s groups have recently urged the Government to review the presidential pardon process following the pardoning of men convicted of sexually abusing children. Community members have called for the justice system to respond firmly to allegations involving children, while also stressing the importance of allowing the courts to assess the evidence fairly and independently. Under Vanuatu law, sexual intercourse with a child under 13 is a serious criminal offence, with the law providing a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The prosecution must nevertheless prove the charge beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction can be entered. The matter remains before the Port Vila Magistrates’ Court. The child’s identity has been withheld to protect her privacy. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Cervical cancer preventable, yet a leading cause of death among Vanuatu women August 12, 2026
Minister of Health Robert Bohn said cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Vanuatu, yet it is entirely preventable through vaccination, screening and early treatment. Speaking at the official launch of the Vanuatu National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy 2026–2035 yesterday, Minister Bohn said access to these highly effective prevention measures had previously been limited or unavailable in Vanuatu. As a result, women were often diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, when treatment options were limited and survival rates were lower. Minister Bohn said the launch reaffirmed a collective commitment to ensuring women and girls have access to prevention, screening and treatment services, with their health, dignity and future at the centre of the national effort. “The Vanuatu Strategy aligns with the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem and its 90-70-90 coverage targets: 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated with HPV by age 15; 70 per cent of women screened with an HPV test or other high-performance test by ages 35 and 45; and 90 per cent of women with cervical pre-cancer treated and women with invasive cancer appropriately managed,” he said. The Minister of Health said the Government of Vanuatu, through this strategy, is reaffirming its commitment to achieving these goals by 2035. Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu now has accessible, culturally appropriate and scalable approaches to prevention, and together the country can make a difference for women and families across the country. “The country has already made significant progress on this pathway, and today I would like to acknowledge the persistence, advocacy and hard work of health and community workers to reduce the preventable burden, incidence, illness and death caused by cervical cancer,” he said. “An opportunistic screening programme has existed since 2008, with national Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-based screening implemented in 2022, and close to 20,000 women screened to date. The hard work of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, the Vanuatu Family Health Association and the Ikkana Cancer Society has meant that access to screening has been made available across all provinces, with over 3,500 women receiving treatment.” Mr. Bohn said Vanuatu is also protecting girls from cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, with the national HPV vaccination programme beginning in 2023 and 16,412 girls vaccinated to date. He said this ensures that today’s girls grow up protected, empowered and free from a disease that previously often arrived too late for treatment. “With continued awareness and coordinated delivery strategies, communities learn that the HPV vaccine protects their children and they therefore want their children to be vaccinated,” he said. “As we endorse this document, we acknowledge the journey of women and families affected, the conscientious efforts of health and community workers to improve health outcomes and the valued collaboration of international partners which strengthens our progress. “The Strategy presents a roadmap to strengthen and sustain current efforts, prioritising primary health care, public health approaches and people-centred service delivery tailored to the Vanuatu context.” Minister Bohn said sustained progress would require long-term, sustainable financing and continued coordinated efforts across sectors and disciplines to ensure Vanuatu remains on the path to eliminating cervical cancer. He said the Government of Vanuatu is committed to ensuring activities are adequately coordinated, funded and maintained over time. “Government commits to ensuring that no woman is left unseen, no girl unprotected, and no life lost to a preventable disease,” he said. The senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, medical lead for the cervical cancer screening programme and chairperson of the development of the cervical cancer elimination strategy, Dr Boniface Damutalau, said the document launched yesterday provides a roadmap for combating cervical cancer. He said cervical cancer screening began in 2022 using new technologies to detect pre-cancerous lesions, and the launch of the strategy provides guidance for screening, vaccination, treatment and sustainability of the programme through to 2035. “It’s a document that helps us with a roadmap of how we do our screening, our vaccination, our treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, and also it will help us with the sustainability of the programme for the next 10 to 15 years,” he said. Dr Damutalau said available data shows around 18 per cent of women have HPV infection, although he believes the figure could be higher because the hospital continues to see two or three new cervical cancer cases each month. He explained that the best way to prevent cervical cancer is through immunisation of young girls aged around 9 to 14 years and regular screening. Dr Damutalau said screening is the only way to detect cervical cancer early, allowing treatment to begin before the disease progresses. He said Vanuatu can currently treat stage 1 cervical cancer locally, while women with more advanced stages must travel overseas for further treatment. “There are a lot of challenges. I think the biggest ones that we encounter are that Vanuatu is very sparse, with different islands, so there is a lot of geography we have to go through, and human resources are also one of the important things that we combat every day,” he said. “Human resources across ministries are not enough, but we always try to reach as far as where women live, from remote places in the north down to the south.” Dr Damutalau acknowledged the efforts made by women who come forward to clinics for screening. He said there are currently two clinics providing services, one in Port Vila and one in Luganville. Cervical cancer is caused by HPV, and once a woman becomes infected, the virus can change cells on the cervix, causing them to become cancerous. Dr Damutalau said most HPV infections clear naturally, but some remain and can increase the risk of cervical cancer. He said about 90 per cent of cervical cancers are linked to HPV, which is why vaccination and early screening are important. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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More boys than girls drop out of school August 12, 2026
More boys than girls are dropping out of secondary schools in Vanuatu, with TORBA Province recording the highest dropout rate. Boys are repeating grades more than girls at both primary and secondary levels across all provinces, and TORBA Province again has the highest repetition rate. These findings were conveyed by the Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), John Gideon, in his presentation to set the tone for discussions at the National Education Forum in Port Vila. He said more boys are leaving school for reasons beyond the classroom, such as the cost of education, distance to school and boarding challenges. In 2016, Vanuatu came up with a policy requiring children to start formal primary school at age 6. Director Gideon revealed that the net enrolment rate has been declining since 2023, with girls recording a higher rate while boys’ participation remains lower. Girls also recorded higher gross enrolment rates than boys at every level. Director Gideon also mentioned that the education system is not retaining students, especially at the secondary level. He said about 41 out of every 100 children who start Year 1 remain in school by Year 6, and only about 5 out of every 100 continue through to Year 13. Director Gideon highlighted that the number of early childhood centres has decreased since 2022, primary schools have remained stable, while secondary schools have grown the most, with 67 new schools established since 2015. “There are over 5,400 teachers, but they are not where the students are,” he said. SHEFA, TAFEA and SANMA have the most senior secondary schools, while TORBA faces a severe shortage of junior secondary teachers. Director Gideon encouraged participants at the forum to examine what the data reveals about boys’ engagement in the education system, how to increase enrolment in early childhood and the relationship between enrolment and student progress. Currently, 104,510 students are enrolled across more than 1,000 registered schools in Vanuatu. However, Director General Cherol Ala pointed out that not all children are in school, highlighting the need to improve access, enrolment and participation. While literacy and numeracy outcomes continue to decline, she said monitoring of the nationwide Curriculum Improvement Program (CIP), launched last year, is showing improved outcomes in student learning. Other challenges she mentioned include student and teacher attendance, high dropout rates, limited access to formal training and qualifications, school infrastructure, access to schools and rolling out internet connectivity. She reminded everyone about the ministry’s mission to provide young people with lifelong skills, values and confidence to become self-reliant and contribute to development. Throughout the four-day National Education Forum, government leaders, educators and partners have discussed what has not worked and what needs to be done to improve education outcomes. The forum ends today. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu’s education crisis a ‘national disaster’ – Pikinini Playtime CEO August 12, 2026
Pikinini Playtime founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Batten has described Vanuatu’s education situation as a “national disaster”, warning that poor literacy outcomes among children could affect the country’s future development. Speaking during an interview on Kava Mo Kajap, Mr. Batten said reports that around 70 per cent of children are unable to read and write at the expected level should be treated as a serious national concern. “I think it is a national disaster, like a hurricane or an earthquake,” Mr. Batten said. He said Vanuatu’s greatest resource is not its land or natural resources, but its people, and education is the foundation needed to develop that human resource. “Human resources are the number one resource for Vanuatu,” he said. Mr. Batten said countries that have successfully moved from being less developed to more advanced economies have done so by investing heavily in education and building a skilled population. However, he said Vanuatu’s current education results remain a major concern despite the country spending a significant amount of its national budget on education. “Vanuatu gives a lot of money per capita into education, but the results are still among the lowest in the Pacific,” he said. The Pikinini Playtime founder said the challenge is not only about funding but about how the education system delivers results. He questioned why many students continue to leave school without basic reading and writing skills despite years spent in classrooms. Mr. Batten said the impact of poor education outcomes can also be seen in the country’s workforce, where businesses often recruit skilled workers from overseas to fill positions. “We bring people from the Philippines and other countries to do accounting, bookkeeping, management, building and supervisory work, but many ni-Vanuatu are not able to take those opportunities because they do not have the basic education,” he said. He said the literacy issue must be addressed early because children who fail to develop strong reading skills in their early years often struggle throughout their education journey. Mr. Batten also raised concerns about the value placed on education within the system. He said teacher absenteeism, weak accountability and a lack of support for educators contribute to children losing confidence in learning. “When children see that school is not important, they begin to believe they don’t need school,” he said. Mr. Batten acknowledged that many teachers are working under difficult conditions but said the system needs stronger support, training and leadership to improve outcomes. He believes improving education requires everyone involved — government, schools, teachers, principals and parents — to work together. “Children are smart. They have the ability. But they need the right support and the right opportunities,” he said. Mr. Batten said addressing literacy must become a national priority because the future of Vanuatu depends on the quality of education provided to today’s children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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